Feature Stories Archive

Councilmember Dunn visits Vision House of Renton to turn over “retired” County van

On Tuesday July 9 Councilmember Dunn visited Renton’s Vision House. Vision House provides transitional housing, support services and child care for homeless mothers and their children as well as assisting homeless men recovering from substance abuse to hand over the keys to a retired Metro van. Read more

Councilmember Dunn turns over “retired” County van to Camp Berachah Day Care Program

On Wednesday, June 26, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn visited Camp Berachah to hand over the keys of a retired Metro van to Camp Berachah just in time for the busy summer season.Read more

Councilmember Dunn and County Executive Honors First graduates of King County HERO Program

This morning at the King County Council chambers, the first group of graduates from the HERO Program was recognized by King County Councilmembers and the County Executive. Each veteran was also presented with a special coin inscribed with a King County logo and the seals of each branch of the U.S. military. Read more about the HERO Program here.

County Council unanimously approve “Patriot Way” for Liberty High School

A project for the students of Renton’s Liberty High School became a reality today as the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously adopted legislation renaming the street in front of their school “Patriot Way.” Read more here.

Councilmember Dunn and King County leaders host Community Service Area meetings

I was joined by King County Department heads at four Town Hall style meetings over the last four months.

These meetings provided the opportunity for residents of Southeast King County to discuss County services as well as other issues facing the County and their community.

Attended Past Community Service Area Meetings in:

Fairwood on April 4
Enumclaw Plateau on May 1
Greater Maple Valley / Cedar River on May 21
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain on June 13

Mountains to Sound Greenway designation a reality

On April 30 I attended a press conference announcing that Congressman Reichert has sponsored and submitted the Legislation that would designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a National Heritage Area. I previously sponsored a Motion on this issue that passed the Council unanimously calling on Congress to take up this important Legislation. Read the press release here.

Squak Mountain Open Space Preservation

Recently, I sent aletter of support to the King County Conservation Futures Citizens Oversight Committee expressing support for the purchase by the King County Parks Division of a 216-acre tract of land on Squak Mountain near Issaquah.

The tract is one of the few large tracts of timberland on Squak Mountain left to be purchased. This purchase would connect Cougar Mountain to the Cougar/Squak Corridor, both publically owned pieces of land.

Councilmember Reagan Dunn joined Seattle Mayor McGinn in unveiling new tool to fight the tragedy of Human Trafficking.

Regional billboards Unveiled to Combat Human Trafficking

A new outlet to increase awareness of the tragedy of Human Trafficking in King County was recently unveiled as Councilmember Dunn attended unveilings in Seattle and Kent. Read more about this public awareness campaign and the event in Seattle and Kent.

It is truly a privilege to help dedicate this new memorial for Sergeant Hicks and Detective Raburn, two heroes who lost their lives in the line of duty protecting the community they both so admirably served.

These men will not be forgotten and this memorial is a fitting tribute to their lives and to the work they did on behalf of the residents of King County. Read more

Yasmin Christopher, a survivor of human trafficking, with Councilmember Dunn and King County Sheriff John Urquhart

Human Trafficking Awareness

In response to a motion introduced by Councilmember Dunn and unanimously passed by the King County Council in October, King County today launched a countywide campaign to raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking in our community. The campaign includes ads on 200 Metro buses that will begin to appear on Friday, a public service announcement, and a program to train key County staff to recognize and respond to human trafficking situations. Read more.

Soup Ladies of Black Diamond receive new truck

The “Soup Ladies” of Black Diamond, best known for their dedicated service of feeding first responders such as police, fire departments, EMS and search and rescue teams, received a retired King County Sheriff’s Office 4x4 all terrain truck from Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn. Read more

Councilmember Dunn turns over “retired” County van to Renton Fire Department’s Explorer program

I am very pleased to partner with the Renton Fire Department and their Explorer program and hand over this great looking van to this worthy organization. This van will help them better facilitate the program and teach local youth about the importance of serving their communities. Read more

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn and Councilmember Larry Phillips today released a letter they sent to Sound Transit calling on the agency to work collaboratively with King County in supporting the anti-human trafficking campaign that will launch in January.

Sheriff’s Office to study cyberbullying within King County

A motion introduced by Councilmember Reagan Dunn is urging the King County Sheriff’s Office to study ways to protect the public from an emerging trend: cyberbullying.

“In recent months, all across the country, we have seen tragedies unfold as a result of cyberbullying,” said Dunn, lead sponsor of the motion. “This motion will allow the Sheriff’s Office to study this issue thoroughly and ensure King County has a plan to deal with any of these troubling bullying trends.” Read more

King County's Sikh community held a candlelight vigil in Renton in mid-August to remember the worshippers killed in Wisconsin on August 5. Six people were killed during a ceremony taking place inside their temple. Read more

King County Council proclaims "Washington’s Most Wanted" Day

On July 23, the King County Council recognized the television show “Washington’s Most Wanted” on their recent assistance in capturing their 300th fugitive.

“This show has been a huge success here in King County and all throughout the Pacific Northwest,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, the sponsor of the recognition. “The work this program does in assisting law enforcement officials is tremendous public service and the show and all involved deserve our highest praise.”

Washington’s Most Wanted began in partnership with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound in November of 2008. The program, which is based in Seattle, has expanded to include Fox Broadcasting affiliates in Spokane, Yakima, and the Tri-Cities, and the CW affiliate in Portland, OR. Read more...

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved a motion calling for the County Executive to embark on a human trafficking public awareness campaign.

The motion calls for using King County Transit Division public service advertising to help inform the public about these crimes and to let victims know about the resources available to help them. Read more...

Sandbag removal signals Green River Valley is open for recreation again

Community and business leaders and trail enthusiasts joined officials from the King County Flood Control District, King County, and the city of Kent to celebrate the removal of giant sandbags that have been lining the Green River Trail since 2009.

The approximately 3-foot high sandbags were installed to provide extra flood protection to the cities of Kent, Auburn, and Tukwila after the 2009 announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that severe flooding was possible due to a damaged Howard Hanson Dam embankment. The Corps announced last fall that they are once again operating the dam at full capacity. Read more...

The names of these dedicated local public servants are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C as well as The Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia.

Creating internship program for veterans

The Metropolitan King County Council gave its unanimous support to a motion calling on King County to explore ways to tap the skills and knowledge of a vital and underutilized group: Veterans.

“It is my hope that a veterans internship program will benefit not only those returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, but all veterans who have gained such tremendous skills defending our county, but unable to find employment with those skills,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, prime sponsor of the motion. “This is an opportunity to create a regional model for public and private employers that can increase employment opportunities for these heroes who protect our freedom.” Read more